Last night as I was getting comfortable on my couch, I was scanning the twitterverse and lo and behold what breaking news did I see but the unofficial announcement that the Mets had signed veteran starting pitcher, Bartolo Colon to a 2-year/$20 million dollar contract pending a physical. Obviously this set Mets Twitter on the verge of nuclear meltdown, the likes that no one has seen since Jason Bay agreed to that fateful 3-year/$66 million dollar contract.
Then I got to thinking: What does this mean to the average Mets fan and how does this affect the Mets over the course of the next 2 years? So here are some random thoughts on the signing of Bartolo – or as the newly signed outfielder, Chris Young refers to him as – ToeLo.
Bartolo’s uniform number should be the same as his waist size (50).
Part of Colon’s contract is that he gets his own show on SNY called Bartolo vs Food.
I wonder who would win in a Sumo wrestling match in a ring filled with Jell-O, him or Mo Vaughn ?
With Bartolo on the mound there is no need for infielders – because he is the infield.
Bartolo makes me look svelte.
He gets his own personal “Shake Shack!”
I bet he doesn’t find salmon tasty.
And lastly, and in all seriousness, this is a good signing that hopefully will help the Mets compete in 2014.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Sadly on this date in 1992, Rube Walker – the Mets pitching coach/guru from ’68-’81 – passed away.
The New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Jim Gosger and utility infielder, Bob Heise to the San Francisco Giants for middle reliever, Ray Sadecki and reserve outfielder, Dave Marshall on December 12, 1969.
In what can and should be considered one of the worst trades in Mets history, the New York Mets traded outfielder, Rusty Staub and minor league pitcher, Bill Laxton to the Detroit Tigers for starting pitcher, Mickey Lolich and reserve outfielder, Billy Baldwin on December 12, 1975.
Lolich was supposed to help strengthen the Mets pitching rotation but finished his lone season with a record of 8-13. He retired after the season ended so that he could open a doughnut shop, but then he unretired in ’78 to pitch for the San Diego Padres !!!
The New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Gene Clines to the Texas Rangers for outfielder, Joe Lovitto on December 12, 1975.
Lovitto ended up being released by the Mets during spring training.
The New York Mets traded middle reliever, Roy Lee Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays for utility infielder, Bob Bailor on December 12, 1980.
The New York Mets signed free agent back up catcher, Orlando Mercado of the Minnesota Twins on December 12, 1989.
The New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Alex Ochoa to the Minnesota Twins for reserve outfielder, Rich Becker on December 12, 1997.
The New York Mets signed free agent José Valentin of the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 12, 2005. This was one of then General Manager ,Omar Minaya’s best under the radar signings
The New York Mets traded middle reliever, Scott Schoeneweis to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher, Connor Robertson on December 12, 2008. After the way Scho pitched that last game of the season everybody knew he wouldn’t ever return to the Mets.
The New York Mets granted reliever and alleged murderer, Ambiorix Burgos granted free agency on December 12, 2008.
The New York Mets claimed starting pitcher, Jeremy Hefner on waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 12, 2011.
Hefner pitched admirably if not uneven the last two seasons for the Mets in a limited role. Lets hope his surgically repaired pitching arm is ready for the ’15 season .
Mo Vaughn is looking forward to chewing the fat with Bartolo Colon!!!
If you want to hear the rebroadcast of last night’s “Shouts From Shea” podcast featuring myself as well as Steven Keane from “The Kranepool Society” please click here. Our guests include Joe D of this fine blog as well as Danny Abriano from the “Rising Apple” blog.
